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AGBU ARMENIAN VIRTUAL COLLEGE AT GIRLS IN ICT INTERNATIONAL FORUM (VIDEO MATERIAL)

The 21st century is the Age of Techology, as computers and hi-tech dominate every aspect of life today. However, the global mass computerization is believed to have started nearly 200 years ago with the pioneer being a female mathematician Ada Lovelace, the daughter of Byron. The international Girls in ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Day, celebrated on April 25 this year, aims to involve more women and girls in the IT sphere. The Girls in ICT event in Armenia was held by Women and Information Society NGO, headed by Founder and President Narine Abazyan. “The growing IT sector in Armenia can be a brilliant career choice for many Armenian women.” This was the message of the conference held at the American University of Armenia (AUA), where AGBU’s Armenian Virtual College (AVC) participated as a successful and purely technology-based company. Outstanding women from leading hi-tech companies presented their success stories to 200 young girls from 18 schools and universities. Opening remarks were delivered by AUA President Dr. Bruce Boghosian, US Agency for International Development (USAID) Armenia Mission Director Ms. Karen Hilliard, and others. Anna Yengibaryan, Administrative Director of AGBU Armenian Virtual College, described some of the success AVC has achieved due to the advancements in ICT and also shared her personal experiences in building a career in ICT. “The doors of our university are never closed,” she said, focusing on the benefits of e-learning and its complete availability anywhere and anytime. “Had there not been such rapid developments in this sector, we would not have been able to implement AVC as a state-of-the-art project.” Yengibaryan also stated that to be strategically strong, AVC follows current trends in ICT and strives to hire the best, skilled ICT specialists. “The sphere’s potential grows exponentially, whereas women’s interest in this sector is decreasing,” she commented. To encourage young women to more actively and prudently choose a profession, she illustrated her personal career experience, “With my background in Applied Mathematics, I was disappointed in seeing the black, silent screens of computers when I began my career. But with the rapid and sophisticated IT development, and then the working environments and Computer and Information Sciences (CIS) courses at AUA, brilliant career opportunities were opened, making it all fun.” Yengibaryan concluded with an observation about the balance between the number of men and women in the workplace, “These teams, as a rule, prove to be more creative, efficient and motivated. So ladies, don’t miss the chance to fill the gap of vacancies in the ICT sector. Tech needs girls.” The unique and innovative approach of the AGBU Armenian Virtual College stood out at the conference, generating curiosity about the company’s mission and tech-based activities. At the end of the conference, the event organizers announced the three successful business women in Armenia’s ICT sphere: Marie Lou Papazian from Tumo Center for Creative Technologies, Anna Yengibaryan from AGBU Armenian Virtual College, and Yeva Hyusyan from Microsoft Innovation Center of Armenia.